Over one month ago, a 50-year-old man from Baton Rouge was riding his bicycle in East Baton Rouge Parish when he was seriously injured by the driver of a Ford Ranger. At the time, however, Louisiana police did not know who had struck the man and left him on Louisiana 426, as the driver had left the scene of the accident. Now, the 21-year-old woman who troopers believe was behind the wheel of the car has been arrested and charged with felony hit and run.
Tragically, the 50-year-old bicyclist died from his injuries. Emergency medical responders were able to get him to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, but his wounds were too severe and too extensive to save him. The family of this man is likely trying to move forward from this accident, but it is difficult to lose a loved one, especially in a horrific accident. Not only are the family members coping with their loss, but there are large costs associated with emergency medical care that they may want covered by a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver.
Suing someone for wrongful death allows family members to receive compensation for the loss of a loved one. Not only can they cover medical expenses, but they can also be used for things like loss of companionship, missed wages and other little things that will help get a Louisiana family back on its feet after a devastating accident.
The troopers investigating the accident determined that the car used in the accident was a later model Ranger with damage to its body. They were able to track the vehicle to the 21-year-old and used video from a surveillance camera at a gas station to confirm that she was driving mere moments before causing the accident.
Source: Avoyelles Today, “Fatal Hit and Run Investigation Leads to Arrest of Holden Woman; Security video at nearby gas station places driver near scene at time,” Aug. 8, 2012
